Philippines Itinerary: 5, 7, 10 and 14-Day Routes for First-Timers (2026)

The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands, but most first trips fit into three areas: Cebu and Bohol in the Visayas, Palawan in the west, and Manila and northern Luzon. The easiest way to plan is to pick one or two of them, because every move between islands costs half a day. Here are sample routes for 5, 7, 10 and 14 days, with what you need to know before you book.

How many days do you need?

• 5 days: one area only, either Cebu and Bohol or Palawan.
• 7 days: two areas, for example Cebu and Bohol, then El Nido.
• 10 days: Cebu, Bohol and Palawan with a day of slack for weather.
• 14 days: add Manila and the rice terraces of northern Luzon, or a stay on Siargao.

Before you plan: entry and seasons

Entry for Americans

US citizens can enter visa-free for an initial stay of up to 30 days. If you plan to stay longer, check with the Bureau of Immigration or a Philippine consulate before you go. Every arriving passenger must also complete the free eTravel registration, within 72 hours before arrival, and show the QR code to the airline before boarding. The only official site is etravel.gov.ph, and any site that asks for a fee isn’t it.

When to go

The dry months run roughly from November to April, and that’s the best window for beaches and island hopping. March and April are hot. Typhoons are most likely from July to October, though they sometimes fall outside it, so check PAGASA, the national weather agency, as you get closer. Ferries and small planes are the first things to be cancelled in bad weather, so leave a spare day before an international flight. For Palawan alone, see our best time to visit Palawan guide.

5 days: Cebu and Bohol

1. Day 1, Cebu. Arrive at Mactan-Cebu airport and settle in. See our Cebu page.
2. Day 2, Cebu. A day of sightseeing in the city and the surrounding island.
3. Day 3, Bohol. Take the ferry to Tagbilaran, then head inland to the Chocolate Hills. The main viewing complex is in Carmen, about 55 km from Tagbilaran. The hills number at least 1,260, most of them 30 to 50 meters high, and they are a national park.
4. Day 4, Bohol. The beaches of Panglao. See our Bohol and Panglao page.
5. Day 5. Return to Cebu or Manila for your flight.

5 days: Palawan

Palawan is the better choice if you want beaches and boats over towns. Fly into Puerto Princesa for the Underground River, then continue north to El Nido for island hopping. The two are linked by a long road transfer, so many travelers fly in or out of El Nido or Coron instead; check current flight options when you book. The Underground River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1999, with 8.2 km of river running underground, about 80 km north of Puerto Princesa. A permit is required, and the park’s official advisory says it’s strictly “no permit, no entry”, with a listed capacity of 900 visitors a day and tours between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Book it ahead, and bring identification. Read our Palawan travel guide and how to get to El Nido.

7 days: Cebu, Bohol and El Nido

1. Days 1 to 3: Cebu and Bohol, as above, with the Chocolate Hills as the main stop.
2. Day 4: fly to El Nido, connecting through Manila or Cebu. Check current flights, since schedules change.
3. Days 5 and 6: island hopping in El Nido. See El Nido’s beaches and our El Nido page.
4. Day 7: fly out through Manila or Puerto Princesa.

10 days: add Coron or the Underground River

Ten days lets you do the 7-day route without rushing, and add either Coron, known for its lakes and World War II shipwrecks (see Coron), or the Underground River near Puerto Princesa. Keep the last night near your departure airport.

14 days: add Luzon or Siargao

With two weeks, start in Manila with a day in the old walled city of Intramuros (see Manila), then spend three or four days in the northern mountains around the rice terraces of the Cordillera region before flying south for the islands. If you prefer surf and a slower pace, Siargao fits instead of Luzon.

Planning it with My Way Travel

We plan private trips in the Philippines with a driver and guide, domestic flights and ferries arranged in the right order, and hotels chosen for each island. My Way Travel is rated 4.8 to 5.0 on Tripadvisor across its listings in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Spain, Germany and the United States, with more than 3,000 reviews in total. Have a look at our Philippines Explorer from Manila to Bohol, all of our Philippines tours, or tell us your dates.

Sources: eTravel official FAQ (etravel.gov.ph); Puerto Princesa Underground River official travel advisory; Wikipedia and DENR on the Chocolate Hills and the Underground River; PAGASA for typhoon forecasts. Last checked October 2026.

Philippines itinerary: FAQ

How many days do you need in the Philippines?

Seven days is enough for two areas, such as Cebu and Bohol plus El Nido. Ten to 14 days lets you add Coron, Manila and northern Luzon.

What is the best time to visit the Philippines?

November to April, the dry months. Typhoons are most likely from July to October, and they sometimes arrive outside those months.

Do US citizens need a visa for the Philippines?

Not for an initial stay of up to 30 days. For a longer stay, check with the Bureau of Immigration or a Philippine consulate before you travel.

What is eTravel?

A free online registration for arriving passengers, done within 72 hours before arrival. You show the QR code to the airline before boarding. The official site is etravel.gov.ph.

Can you combine Bohol and Palawan in one trip?

Yes. Connect by air through Manila or Cebu, and allow half a day for the move.

Do you need a permit for the Puerto Princesa Underground River?

Yes. The park enforces a “no permit, no entry” policy, so book ahead and bring identification.